Today, we continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary by revisiting another roller coaster for opening this year. More than a hundred new roller coasters were launched in 2005, from record-breakers like the late Kingda Ka to modern idols like Sheikra at Busch Gardens Tampa.
Coaster101 was first launched on June 15, 2005, but about a month ago, an auspicious new roller coaster opened up the hazy depths, daring to the theme park mortals and breaking into the underworld. Of course, I’m talking about Hades 360 in Mount Olympus, or just Hades as I know it at the time.
The history of Mount Olympus is defined by ambition. After they became acclaim in the world of large karts in the 90s, they worked with Custom Coasters International to develop three wooden roller coasters in back-to-back years. The Cyclops in 1995, Pegasus in 1996, and Zeus in 1997. The rapid expansion also triggered a gradual acquisition of multiple adjacent features and attractions, ultimately consolidating the park as a larger destination.
Big Chief accepted the identity of Olympus Mountain in 2004, eventually merging with the nearby Treasure Island Resort and invited another three years of back-to-back roller coaster project. Custom Coasters International recently declared bankruptcy, allowing some of their engineers to find a new Gravity Group company. Given their previous collaboration, Mount Olympus is responsible for them to create the largest roller coaster and, in the case of the Gravity Group, their first project is under the new banner.
Hades originally opened on May 14, 2005, dwarfing the surrounding coasters. It is named after the Greek god of death and the king of the underworld of the same name. The layout under its premise reappears on U.S. Route 12 by sneaking into an extended high-speed exterior area below the parking lot, thus reappearing a compelling turnaround halfway. Obviously, the park decided that it could be improved.
supply Duane Marden
In the 2013 season, Mount Olympus Commissioned the gravity team to further strengthen hades. Replaced the Philadelphia Sled Company’s rolling inventory on a stylish Timberliner train and rebuilt a portion of the layout to accommodate it. The biggest change is turnover, now with bottle opener inverted and bent turns.
A few days ago, I was able to ride the Hades 360 for the first time. I’m happy to let you know that Hades is aging and is the highlight of my visit. But unfortunately, it was a difficult journey. The layout and sheer scale of the roller coaster requires respect, good reversal, but excessive aggressiveness and poor tracking can shock and upset many riders. Hades is still an essential experience for all theme park enjoyers, although this is not tolerant for everyone.
Please note our other next week 2025 Summer 20 Seriesand continue to think about what the 2005 roller coaster might be!
